Odds & Ins.

Bulls Great Team, Says Ex-laker Who Knows About Great Starts

That's because Hairston was a starting forward on the 1971-72 NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers--the team that set the league record with a 39-3 jump out of the starting blocks. That Lakers team won 33 straight games and finished the season 69-13.

"This Bulls team is a great team. They possess, in my estimation, not only the greatest player (Michael Jordan) I have ever seen, but also the two best players (including Scottie Pippen) who ever played (together)," said Hairston, 53, who runs his own foundation in Los Angeles and stars in Celebrity Golf Association tournaments.

Fifteen years ago, Hairston and Jim McMillian were the forwards for coach Bill Sharman. The starting guards were Jerry West and Gail Goodrich. The indomitable Wilt Chamberlain was the man in the middle.

Asked to compare the circumstances of that Lakers streak with the 1995-96 Bulls, Hairston responded:

"We had it tougher as far as travel and scheduling. We didn't have the (private) jet waiting for us. And, let's face it, we didn't have Minnesota, Sacramento and the Clippers in the league."

But Hairston has no less respect for the Bulls, who have captured three NBA titles in the '90s.

"What makes their winning three in a row more amazing is that they did it with Bill Cartwright at center," Hairston said. "Not taking anything away from Bill, but . . ."

Hairston says the Bulls' pursuit of the Lakers' 39-3 start shouldn't supersede winning another league championship.

"Is it more important to win four (NBA titles) or to exhaust your team? That's up to the players," Hairston said.

Untouchables: The NFL rules' emphasis in 1995 to protect the quarterback worked as intended.

In 1995, 13 teams started the same quarterback for all 16 games, almost double the amount (seven) in each of the two previous years. Another four teams changed quarterbacks at some point during the season, but not because of injuries. In total, 17 teams enjoyed injury-free quarterback seasons, including the Bears with Erik Kramer.

Heads or tails? Three-time Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Joe Montana will toss the coin for Super Bowl XXX.

Montana is to be accompanied on the field at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz., by all of the former Super Bowl MVPs. The group includes Joe Namath, who tossed the coin for Super Bowl XXVIII; Bart Starr, the coin-tosser for Super Bowl XX; and Terry Bradshaw, who tossed the coin for Super Bowl XXIV.

Picture this: So much for the Sports Illustrated cover jinx. How about the Pro Football Weekly jinx?

The current cover story features Kansas City Chiefs veteran running back Marcus Allen. Previously, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice graced the cover. Both of their teams were eliminated from the playoffs last weekend.

Earlier in the year, Pro Football Weekly tabbed Bears wide receiver Curtis Conway for its cover. Conway promptly was held to zero catches the next game.

Shawn-o-meter: Shawon Dunston's new team may be in San Francisco, but it sounds as if his heart is still in Chicago.

Dunston, who signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Giants Monday, said being able to play close to his home (Fremont, Calif.) was more important to him than making more money to play for Philadelphia or Cincinnati. The Cubs decided not to offer arbitration to the two-time All-Star.

"We (wife Tracie) are expecting our fourth child in July," Dunston said. "Money is one thing, but there is nothing like home."

Dunston said he does feel awkward wearing a Giants cap because the Cubs lost to San Francisco in the 1989 playoffs.

"I tried on the cap and I said: `This looks strange. I don't look right.' I guess I will always be a Cub in my heart."

Asked his fondest memory from his 11-year Cub career, Dunston quickly responded: "When I was going through back trouble in 1992 and '93, I pinch-hit and grounded out. The fans at Wrigley Field gave me a standing ovation when I ran back to the dugout. They knew I was going through a tough time and was trying as hard as I could to get back in the lineup. I will never forget that moment for as long as I live."

"There needs to be more people like Dr. Schafer. The world would be a better place," Dunston said.

City buzz: Frank Thomas has not lost his senses. The reason he was spotted hitting home runs out of Grant Park Wednesday afternoon was the filming of a commercial for a White Sox season-ticket campaign. . . . Sears Skate on State will reward players who score five out of 10 "goals" Saturday with an authentic Blackhawks jersey. . . . Arizona Cardinals receiver Frank Sanders will receive the Offensive Rookie of the Year award from the NFLPA at the Mackey Awards banquet on June 23 at the O'Hare Hyatt. . . . The Wolves have generated more than $3,000 to benefit the Christopher Zorich Foundation through silent auctions between periods of Saturday night home games.